What’s a precision, multimillion-dollar, Lamborghini lineup doing in a fine dining place like this?
Dal Toro is fabulous in more ways than any restaurant around. It’s posh, pizzazz and has a twist that no other place I’ve seen can offer. First, it’s in one of the latest and most elegant resort properties ever built on the Las Vegas Strip — The Palazzo. It is also the only restaurant where guests can dine inside a combination fine restaurant — and fine auto dealership!
Just the other day, I said to myself, “It’s time for a unique culinary journey in a different setting.” Later, I received an email about this new restaurant. I was invited to acquaint myself with Dal Toro, its cuisine and the remarkable décor. I went, and I was so glad I did.
Co-owners Lorenzo Barracco and Fabrizio Sotti are visionaries and created this amazing, unique restaurant. Their concept works extremely well at the Palazzo.
Also part of the classy décor is a display of fine European artwork by distinguished painters. It adds to the rich ambience. Enjoy traditional Italian food with the contemporary twist, surrounded by 100 feet of marbled, mosaic Palladian Italian fountains.
When my party entered Dal Toro (translated: meet the bull), I met Assistant Manager Rex Herman. What impressed me about him was his knowledge about authentic Italian recipes. He also has a keen knowledge about the Lamborghini, a car that can outperform just about any make or model auto on the planet.
Dal Toro’s director of operations, Gabriele Babini, gave me an education about the finely crafted vehicles, which sell for a mere $250,000 up to $700,000. What I learned is that they are all hand crafted and their maneuverability is unlike any other popular car in the world. So what does the car dealership have to do with dining?
Well the fine-crafted automobile serves as the backdrop for the fine dining at Dal Toro. I interviewed Executive Chef Fiorenzo Trunzo and he stated that all the dishes’ ingredients are imported and made from scratch. Watch the informative interview on the Celebrity Scene News Blog.
Let’s now talk about our culinary journey.
My videographer, Mark Richards, ordered Calamarette (baby squid, lightly floured and sautéed in a spicy marinara sauce). I ordered Capesente Gratinate (fresh gratin singing scallops stuffed with shrimp in a bread crumb crust. Both dishes were served in a colorful, exciting presentation.
I’ve always enjoyed fresh salad and truly loved the Ensalada Caprese, (fresh mozzarella with tomato, oregano and extra virgin olive oil). Another delightful popular dish is the Smoked Salmon Philadelphia, which is a thin crust pizza with smoked salmon, capers and the brand name cream cheese. Another thin-crusted pizza dish, the Granchio e Aspargi, has crab meat and asparagus.
For the main course, we tried a Northern Italian dish. The Branzino Croccante is a Mediterranean sea bass that is sautéed, finished in the oven and topped with Panko bread crumbs, served with pear tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers and a white wine sauce. I dare say, this is the best sea bass dish I’ve ever tasted.
Mark Richards ordered the Scampi alla Paprika, which consists of large shrimp sautéed with paprika, shallots, brandied capers and marinara cream sauce, served with spaghetti tossed with garlic olive oil and imported Italian Calabria with spicy peppers.
According to Richards, an avid connoisseur of Italian cuisine said it was just right, on the spicy side the way he likes it.
Chef Fiorenzo said, “You buy a Lamborghini, then you eat at the bull.”
The art of fine dining doesn’t have to be dull. It can be fun and exciting just as it was for my guest and me. And for those who want to dine in an elegant surrounding at late night, the staff at Dal Toro will kindly accommodate.
To accompany the meals with traditional Italian beverage, the restaurant prides itself on stocking over 150 different wines among its 2,500-bottle stock.
With a perfect evening of dining, why not have a delectable dessert. Profitteros are delicate, chocolate puffs filled with Chantilly cream is a signature dish. The Torta della Nonna is a traditional Italian cake made with pine nuts and lemon glaze. And to finish off the evening, what could be better than Moscato from Sicily, the smooth and ever-so-delicious liquor?
The room is available for special events and corporate events in the setting like no other. Dal Toro is inside the Palazzo Resort at 3225 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Call 702-437-9800 for more information and reservations.
Photos courtesy of Dal Toro
